16. [Enoch walked with the Lord and was taken,that succeeding generations might learn by his example.]
17. Noah, found just and perfect,renewed the race in the time of devastation.Because of his worth there were survivors,and with a sign to him the deluge ended.
18. A lasting covenant was made with him,that never again would all flesh be destroyed.
19. Abraham, father of many peoples,kept his glory without stain:
20. He observed the Most High’s command,and entered into a covenant with him;In his own flesh he incised the ordinance,and when tested was found loyal.
21. For this reason, God promised him with an oathto bless the nations through his descendants,To make him numerous as grains of dust,and to exalt his posterity like the stars,Giving them an inheritance from sea to sea,and from the River to the ends of the earth.
22. For Isaac, too, he renewed the same promisebecause of Abraham, his father.The covenant with all his forebears was confirmed,
23. and the blessing rested upon the head of Israel.God acknowledged him as the firstborn,and gave him his inheritance.He fixed the boundaries for his tribesand their division into twelve.